Strong's Lexicon epher: Ashes Original Word: אֵפֶר Word Origin: Derived from an unused root meaning to be gray or dusty. Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The Greek equivalent often used in the Septuagint for "epher" is "σποδός" (Strong's Greek 4700), which also means ashes. Usage: The Hebrew word "epher" primarily refers to ashes, often used in the context of mourning, repentance, or destruction. In the ancient Near Eastern culture, ashes symbolized humility, mortality, and the transient nature of human life. The act of sitting in ashes or covering oneself with ashes was a physical expression of deep sorrow or penitence. Cultural and Historical Background: In biblical times, ashes were a common symbol of mourning and repentance. People would sit in ashes or sprinkle them on their heads to express grief or contrition. This practice was prevalent in the ancient Near East and is frequently mentioned in the Old Testament. Ashes, being the remnants of something that has been consumed by fire, also symbolize destruction and the impermanence of life. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom an unused word Definition ashes NASB Translation ashes (21), dust (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs אֵ֫פֶר noun [masculine] ashes (as light, flying?) — ׳א absolute Genesis 18:27 +; construct Numbers 19:9,10 — ashes of red heifer, used in purifications Numbers 19:9,10; on head, as sign of humiliation 2 Samuel 13:19; contrition Daniel 9:3 ("" צוֺם, שַׂק), Jonah 3:6 ("" שַׂק) compare Job 42:6 (׳עָפָר וא), Isaiah 58:5 ("" שַׂק); mourning Esther 4:1,3("" שַׂק) compare Job 2:8 (׳ישׁב בתוך הא), Jeremiah 6:26 ("" שַׂק), Ezekiel 27:30 ("" עפר); in simile scattereth hoarfrost ׳כָּא Psalm 147:16; but also as filthy, loathsome ׳כעפר וא Job 30:19 (Di simile of mourning, grief), as worthless, ׳מִשְׁלֵי א Job 13:12 proverbs of ashes; figurative of worthlessness Isaiah 44:20; insignificance ׳עפר וא Genesis 18:27; ignominy Ezekiel 28:18; Malachi 3:21; distress & sorrow כַּלָּחֶם אָכָ֑לְתִּי ׳א Psalm 102:10 (so Assyrian compare ZimBP 42) compare Lamentations 3:16; Isaiah 61:3 (מְּאֵר תַּחַת אֵפֶר). II. אפר (enclose, envelope, Assyrian apâru, attire DlPr 54; Thes compare Arabic Strong's Exhaustive Concordance ashes From an unused root meaning to bestrew; ashes -- ashes. Forms and Transliterations אֵ֑פֶר אֵ֔פֶר אֵ֗פֶר אֵ֙פֶר֙ אֵ֣פֶר אֵ֤פֶר אֵ֭פֶר אפר בָּאֵ֖פֶר בָּאֵֽפֶר׃ בָאֵ֔פֶר באפר באפר׃ הָאֵֽפֶר׃ האפר׃ וָאֵ֑פֶר וָאֵ֔פֶר וָאֵ֙פֶר֙ וָאֵֽפֶר׃ ואפר ואפר׃ כָּאֵ֥פֶר כאפר לְאֵ֙פֶר֙ לאפר ’ê·p̄er ’êp̄er bā’êp̄er ḇā’êp̄er bā·’ê·p̄er ḇā·’ê·p̄er baEfer Efer hā’êp̄er hā·’ê·p̄er haEfer kā’êp̄er kā·’ê·p̄er kaEfer lə’êp̄er lə·’ê·p̄er leEfer vaEfer wā’êp̄er wā·’ê·p̄erLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 18:27 HEB: וְאָנֹכִ֖י עָפָ֥ר וָאֵֽפֶר׃ NAS: although I am [but] dust and ashes. KJV: which [am but] dust and ashes: INT: which I am dust and ashes Numbers 19:9 Numbers 19:10 2 Samuel 13:19 Esther 4:1 Esther 4:3 Job 2:8 Job 13:12 Job 30:19 Job 42:6 Psalm 102:9 Psalm 147:16 Isaiah 44:20 Isaiah 58:5 Isaiah 61:3 Jeremiah 6:26 Lamentations 3:16 Ezekiel 27:30 Ezekiel 28:18 Daniel 9:3 Jonah 3:6 Malachi 4:3 22 Occurrences |
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, cover; MV compare Aramaic 
, מעפרא, mantle, turban; but connection of √ (
)ע ׳מּ with אפר is dubious) 
